XC Voyager Refurbishment

[superalbs]

Geoff Marshal was at the launch event and has now posted a video on YouTube. Here’s the link

My observations are:

Seats don’t look as comfortable as current ones but aren’t as bad as I was expecting, only getting my backside on one will confirm this. Are they the same seats used on the WMT 196s?

Lighting looks like it could be a bit harsh, like Hitachi

The rest of us stopped painting things cream in 1985.

Overall looks like a good improvement but at an eye watering price. Some of the design choices wouldn’t have been my choices, but it will be a pleasure to travel on something that is clean and doesn’t have 25 years of filth ground into the carpets.

The lighting is studio lighting, as the unit was not powered up. There have been photos released that show the unit still has normal lighting.

 

[GoneSouth]

The lighting is studio lighting, as the unit was not powered up. There have been photos released that show the unit still has normal lighting.

Thanks, just watched a different video that also explained that. Hopefully a warmer feel to the lighting then.

Thanks for the info

 

[takno]

The rooftop HVAC system has taken over.

Oh joy. Another operator/manufacturer in angry denial about how convection currents work in metal tubes.

 

[Russel]

Why would they have to repeat them?

No idea, but plenty do!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Feb 2026 ==

The lighting is studio lighting, as the unit was not powered up. There have been photos released that show the unit still has normal lighting.

This is a good example of why we shouldn't be making decisions on weather a refurb has been a success or not base on second hand photos and videos.

 

[Ash Bridge]

At

At one point didn’t they also propose a solution to the lack of luggage space that was effectively large items of luggage could be collected from home and then taken by road to your destination?

They certainly did, if I am not mistaken the then Virgin Trains were behind setting up a dedicated company and its still available according to the XC website Luggage Page. Our family used it many times over the years for holidays spent in Cornwall.

Carrymyluggage.com

 

[Royston Vasey]

Thanks, just watched a different video that also explained that. Hopefully a warmer feel to the lighting then.

Thanks for the info

I wouldn't bet on it. They've replaced the fluorescent with LED and the first thing the commercial director with the Ronnie Kray haircut and specs was "brighter". Grey and white with odd specs of red and light blue screams out clinic.

 

[havaska]

I’ve seen a few of the videos on YouTube now showing off the refurb, and I have to say, I’m impressed!

Will make a massive difference when they start to enter service, and to the GP, they’re basically new trains.

Now if only we could sort out XC…

 

[fgwrich]

In answer to an earlier question it seems there is a second 220 (220027) under refurbishment and is now externally complete.

Interestingly i note that Virgin style 1s are included in this refurb along with a yellow stripe which looks a little too high in my opinion. Though it might just be the angle.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Interestingly i note that Virgin style 1s are included in this refurb along with a yellow stripe which looks a little too high in my opinion. Though it might just be the angle.

The fact it’s above the cant line is strange. Feels too high.

Mind you, you have the train in pink/red, then the cant line orange and the first class stripe in an off yellow/orange. The colours in certain lighting aren’t probably that noticeable so at least having the giant 1’s will help. I find this is a current problem with the yellow stripe having worn out in a lot of sets.

Definitely would’ve been nicer to have the whole train in the pink/red. The grey looks and feels awkward.

 

[superalbs]

In answer to an earlier question it seems there is a second 220 (220027) under refurbishment and is now externally complete.

Interestingly i note that Virgin style 1s are included in this refurb along with a yellow stripe which looks a little too high in my opinion. Though it might just be the angle.

That is a very strange place for the yellow line!

 

[Laserbeam31]

I wouldn't bet on it. They've replaced the fluorescent with LED and the first thing the commercial director with the Ronnie Kray haircut and specs was "brighter". Grey and white with odd specs of red and light blue screams out clinic.

That’s my fear, too… One of the things I like most about the Voyagers in their current form is the warm white fluorescent lighting.

The GWR Class 165/166/158 all had their (warm white) fluorescent lights retrofitted with awfully blue-tinted “LED tubes” quite a while ago now. Makes the inside of the train look really awful. I remember the contrast; IIRC it was around the time they re-branded from FGW to GWR.

Having said that, the GWR IETs have had LED lighting from the start (not retrofit). They seem to have managed a decent colour temperature on that, even if it is a bit on the bright side.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I wouldn't bet on it. They've replaced the fluorescent with LED and the first thing the commercial director with the Ronnie Kray haircut and specs was "brighter". Grey and white with odd specs of red and light blue screams out clinic.

RailAdvent’s video said for safety reasons they weren’t able to power up the train so temporary LED lighting that would work independently was installed - so guests didn’t have to view the train in the dark.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Having said that, the GWR IETs have had LED lighting from the start (not retrofit). They seem to have managed a decent colour temperature on that, even if it is a bit on the bright side.

Lumo and Avanti also use a warmer colour. You can spec what you want, the blueish white is usually just the cheap option.

 

[FGWHST43009]

XC are allegedly interested in the remaining 8 ex-Avanti Voyagers, including the GC ones should they become available. Link: https://www.modernrailways.com/article/crosscountry-makes-case-extra-221s

 

[class442]

?XC are allegedly interested in the remaining 8 ex-Avanti Voyagers, including the GC ones should they become available. Link: https://www.modernrailways.com/article/crosscountry-makes-case-extra-221s

Should this happen, common sense will have prevailed at last... We will see what happens. Does Central Rivers have the capacity to maintain them all?

Definitely would’ve been nicer to have the whole train in the pink/red. The grey looks and feels awkward.

I very much agree.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Does Central Rivers have the capacity to maintain them all?

Didn't Central Rivers used to be responsible for maintaining the ex Avanti 221s?

 

[43096]

Should this happen, common sense will have prevailed at last... We will see what happens. Does Central Rivers have the capacity to maintain them all?

They maintained all the 220 and 221 fleet from new, so yes.

 

[Laserbeam31]

Lumo and Avanti also use a warmer colour. You can spec what you want, the blueish white is usually just the cheap option.

Makes sense! AIUI the class 80x had LED from the start so presumably wasn’t limited by retrofit options, either.

ISTR one of the difficulties with retrofit “LED tubes” is cramming the LEDs into the slender tubular form-factor of a traditional fluorescent tube, without overheating issues. A number of the retrofit tubes in GWR’s fleet do seem to now be showing partial failures, with only one end lit, or a “patchwork” pattern where clumps of LEDs have failed along the tube length.

I’ll be interested to see what’s been done for the oval-shaped over-window lights in the voyagers. When I went on an ex-Avanti unit, I couldn’t quite tell whether the equivalent lights had been changed to LED or whether they’d left them as is, during the Avanti refurb.

 

[superalbs]

That’s my fear, too… One of the things I like most about the Voyagers in their current form is the warm white fluorescent lighting.

There are a few photos around that show the unit with normal warm lighting, so thankfully that aspect has not been ruined.

 

[3RDGEN]

That’s my fear, too… One of the things I like most about the Voyagers in their current form is the warm white fluorescent lighting.

The GWR Class 165/166/158 all had their (warm white) fluorescent lights retrofitted with awfully blue-tinted “LED tubes” quite a while ago now. Makes the inside of the train look really awful. I remember the contrast; IIRC it was around the time they re-branded from FGW to GWR.

Having said that, the GWR IETs have had LED lighting from the start (not retrofit). They seem to have managed a decent colour temperature on that, even if it is a bit on the bright side.

From the post below by "fgwrich" the link "https://x.com/railexpress/status/2021223125849977041?s=46" gives a walk through the unit whilst outside, so the engines are running, as such the new internal lighting can be viewed which may give an indication of how it will look.

A few more photos of the interior courtesy of Nodrog and a video of Alstom / Rail Express:

2 x External images of 220033 in its new XC livery
1 x First Class internal image showing the new seats and colour scheme
1 x Standard Class image showing the new seats and internal colour scheme
1 x Cab image

https://x.com/railexpress/status/2021223125849977041?s=46

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[sprinterguy]

Didn't Central Rivers used to be responsible for maintaining the ex Avanti 221s?

Absolutely, but it depends how many are outstabled at alternate locations each night, too. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that there'd be a greater quantity of outstabling with all/most sets with XC than when the full fleet of 78 was split between XC and West Coast operations, so it probably works out in Central Rivers' favour in terms of available capacity.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Absolutely, but it depends how many are outstabled at alternate locations each night, too. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that there'd be a greater quantity of outstabling with all/most sets with XC than when the full fleet of 78 was split between XC and West Coast operations, so it probably works out in Central Rivers' favour in terms of available capacity.

CrossCountry are starting to use Polmadie from May so that could be an opportunity there at the Scotland end. Just one set initially but nonetheless a start.

 

[brad465]

All credit to them, it looks like they've done a very thorough job. It looks like a brand new train. (Albeit not a very good one.)

Yes I think the interior refurb looks great, the biggest issue though is actually being able to sit down on the new seats in the first place, but, maybe if the below report materialises, there'll be some improvement in that respect:

XC are allegedly interested in the remaining 8 ex-Avanti Voyagers, including the GC ones should they become available. Link: https://www.modernrailways.com/article/crosscountry-makes-case-extra-221s

 

[Russel]

XC are allegedly interested in the remaining 8 ex-Avanti Voyagers, including the GC ones should they become available. Link: https://www.modernrailways.com/article/crosscountry-makes-case-extra-221s

It's madness that they don't already have them to be honest, given how much money the railway consumes, the lease on an extra 8 x 25 year old Voyagers is loose change when looking at the network as a whole.

The condition may be a concern though given they've been stood idol for over 12 months.

View attachment 198075
There are a few photos around that show the unit with normal warm lighting, so thankfully that aspect has not been ruined.

This is spot on.

We can only hope this is XC turning a corner.

 

[py_megapixel]

Would the extra 8 sets be enough to achieve the holy grail of double sets on all voyager diagrams? I assume not, but it would at least get us closer.

(In fact, does anyone happen to know how many diagrams there are in total?)

They also need to sort out the bonkers situation we have currently where XC trains routinely travel long distances with half the train locked out of use for staffing reasons. But that is getting extremely off-topic for this thread.

 

[GoneSouth]

That’s my fear, too… One of the things I like most about the Voyagers in their current form is the warm white fluorescent lighting.

The GWR Class 165/166/158 all had their (warm white) fluorescent lights retrofitted with awfully blue-tinted “LED tubes” quite a while ago now. Makes the inside of the train look really awful. I remember the contrast; IIRC it was around the time they re-branded from FGW to GWR.

Having said that, the GWR IETs have had LED lighting from the start (not retrofit). They seem to have managed a decent colour temperature on that, even if it is a bit on the bright side.

I think it could be warmer. I maybe wrong, but I think one of the differentiators for LNERs 1st class on its 80x fleet of trains is that the lighting is a warmer colour LED compared to standard. Seems odd to do that.

Fingers crossed they use warmer coloured lighting in the Voyagers but I’m not hopeful.

I liked a good old fashioned mk1/mk2 coach with very low wattage incandescent bulbs spaced sparsely throughout the carriage (and obviously well sprung seating). Very relaxing journeys

 

[fgwrich]

Regarding the lighting, can I just double check if XC has said that the current lighting in each unit has been replaced? One of the more annoying features about travelling on XC at the moment is the array of lighting colours and shadows offered on the current fleet, either going you a bright journey or a dingy one in the same coach.

Pleased to hear about XC creating a business case for the last 8 units too, a decision which should have been fairly obvious from the start really, even if it does leave Alstom looking for units for its own endeavours - XC should be the priority here. At least most of them seem to be either undercover or dotted around Litchurch Lane, and in use with GC.

 

[Laserbeam31]

View attachment 198075
There are a few photos around that show the unit with normal warm lighting, so thankfully that aspect has not been ruined.

Agreed that looks pretty good, particularly in relation to the daylight colours out of the windows. Will believe it when I see it, though. I've come across several instances in the past where for whatever reason blue-tinted LED lights appear substantially warmer on camera than they do to the naked eye.

 

[19Gnasher69]

Definitely would’ve been nicer to have the whole train in the pink/red. The grey looks and feels awkward.

It would have been even better if the whole train had been grey. The driving cars look like the b4$t4rd offspring of a French OUIGO set and the original VXC/VWC aberrations. Pinks and bright reds (and anywhere in between on the colour spectrum) look garish, childish and awful on trains. Add in the Crayola doors, Xs and assorted decals and you’ve got a real dog’s dinner.

 

[FrontSideBus]

The miss-matched colours on the unrefurbished stock are probably because they are struggling to get hold of fluorescent lamps and are using whatever stock they can get their hands on. I've noticed this going on with Mk4 coaches too. The Mk4's use 35w T5 High Efficiency lamps. Not sure what Voyagers use.